Harry Potter and Grief's Wisdom
Poetheather
A/N: As I mentioned, there aren't exactly any regular updates. So it goes.
This is a work of fiction using the characters created by J.K. Rowling. They are not used with her permission. All actions follow the events of book five of the series. Any similarity between any person living or dead is purely coincidental and unintentional. If you happen to find your life reflected in this piece I'll be impressed and perhaps a little scared.
Chap. 4
The two of them appeared in a corner of the Leaky Cauldron and moved swiftly towards the Alley, trying to avoid attracting too much attention. Once they made it inside Diagon Alley, Tonks kept scanning the street as they hustled to the bank. Safely within the marble walls they paused and Tonks looked about the vast open room. Nodding in decision, she walked up to one of the open tellers with Harry trailing behind and asked politely, "We are here for the reading of the Black Will."
The goblin glared at her, measuring her for some reason, and then nodded. He gestured to one of the waiting goblins and when that one responded he said, "Take them to Reading Room 2."
When their escort turned, walked towards the back and they moved to keep up. Harry felt his anger growing. Why hadn't Professor Dumbledore told him about this? Why was he being made to sit at the Dursleys without any information? It was just like last summer and it was pissing him off. This whole thing made him a touch crazy, not like he needed any advice to get there. Reaching a set of doors that was down a few hallways, the goblin stopped and opened the door, gesturing them inside. When Harry entered he was surprised to see a number of people already there: Ron, Hermione, Fred and George, Remus, Professor McGonagall, and Professor Dumbledore all there and in seats. Everyone except Hermione seemed rather surprised to see him.
The goblin at the head of the table smiled, a cold reptilian smile, and said, "Good, now that all the principals are here, if there is no argument, we will begin."
As Harry took a seat next to Hermione he could feel the weight of Professor Dumbledore's gaze on him and it was disconcerting. It almost felt like his gaze was burrowing into him. He knew better at this point to look him in the eye, and wondered just what the Headmaster was trying to figure out.
The goblin cleared his throat, a rather disturbing sound, reminding Harry of a slightly blocked garbage disposal. He picked up some pages and began, "This stands as the last will and testament of Sirius Orion Black, Head of House Black upon the occasion of my death. I, Sirius Orion Black, being of sound enough mind and body do make the following bequests upon my death.
To Remus John Lupin, my dearest brother and fellow troublemaker, I leave you 15,000 galleons and the deed to a house I have purchased specifically for you. You're stuck with it Remus and it's even got a room for your furry little problem. I love you Moony. Don't be in a rush to see us again, we'll still be here.
To Nymphadora Tonks, my most colorful cousin, I leave you 5,000 galleons and reinstatement to the Black Family. I would have taken care of it sooner but being a wanted criminal limited me some. Have fun Tonksy and welcome to the family.
To Minerva Grace McGonagall, my favorite teacher at Hogwarts, I leave you 5,000 galleons and my eternal thanks for being the best Head of House ever and for taking care of Harry. You have done more than anyone else to give two out of place boys a decent start in life.
To Albus Brian Percival Wulfric Dumbledore, I leave you the Dark Arts texts of the Black family. I hope that they help you fight the good fight. I also leave you a letter. I should have told you all that before this happened but there never seemed to be time. Please take it seriously.
To Ronald Bilius Weasley, I leave you 5,000 galleons and my thanks for being Harry's friend when he needed one. I also remember making friends with a Potter on my way up to school so I know how important such friendship can be.
To Fred and George Weasley, I leave you 5,000 galleons each with the hopes that you invest it into your business as well as a special book filled with secrets. I am told you already know the passwords. Please use it to help yourselves in your business. Everyone needs some laughs now and again if only to remind them that the light is always there.
The twins looked really excited at that and danced some in their chairs. The others just rolled their eyes at their antics while Harry felt certain that the money and the book would be put to good use. The twins were already brilliant and with Marauder secrets they could only get better.
To Hermione Jean Granger, I leave you 5,000 galleons as well as the remainder of the Black Library minus the Dark Arts books that have aleady been disposed of. I just want to say again that I have never met a more clever witch than yourself and that includes Harry's mother Lily who was terrifyingly brilliant. I am sorry I am not there to see where this gift takes you.
And lastly to Harry James Potter, my Heir in all things, I leave you the remainder of my property and goods, to include the title as Head of the Black Family. May you help my family become less of a Dark family and enter into the light. I love you Prongslet and I'm sorry things came to this. I wanted nothing more than to take care of you as a proper Godfather should, to be everything that your parents had wanted me to be. You take care of yourself Harry and keep your friends close and please, for me, find love.
Thus ends the Last Will and Testament of Sirius Orion Black. So mote it be.
The goblin shuffled some paper as he finished and looked up at the assembly, saying, "I have forms for you all to fill out in order to obtain your bequests. Thank you."
Harry sat there, leaning back in his chair, eyes unfocused, thinking about all this. A whole life reduced to a few lines in a Will. It so wasn't worth it. There was nothing that had been read that made up for losing Sirius. They had grown closer and closer as time had gone along and now he was berefit his Godfather. He had lost so much throughout his life and once again he had a bloody pile of gold and things instead of a loved one. It wasn't fair. And to be getting this when he was the root cause of Sirius's death was even more wrong. Closing his eyes, he tried to regain his equilibrium, breathing slow and steady, fighting against the prickle of tears in the corners of his eyes.
When he opened them again Hermione and Professor Dumbledore were the only ones left in the room except for the goblin who looked a touch irritated at business not having been completed promptly. "Yes sir?"
"Harry, I am sorry you had to be here for this. I had hoped to spare you from this, that you would be able to heal from this pain without having this burden thrust upon you. I intended to visit you later this summer and tell you everything about this. I only want you to stay safe." Professor Dumbledore did look contrite as he spoke.
"Thank you sir but in case people haven't told you yet, we need to find a better way to keep me safe. I am not going to be restricted to that house and I am going to find ways to contact my friends. Being trapped at Privet Drive is torture enough as is without adding direct confinement to the list," growled out Harry, his irritation with the Headmaster showing.
Dumbledore watched him with somewhat sad eyes. "You know I do these things for your own safety."
"I appreciate that sir and I am grateful for that but safety without freedom might as well be prison." Hermione smiled at him when he said that helping to bleed away some of his anger.
Dumbledore took a few moments to stare at Harry before he said, "I see. Will you at least continue to live there until you are escorted away?"
"Yes. I can do that. You said there was a very good reason to stay them over the summer and I am not disputing that fact but I am disputing the notion that the guards you have set would rather keep me trapped behind the wards and in the house rather than allow me to have a life. That is no longer an option," reiterated Harry. "I won't put up with that anymore."
"Of course. Will you allow the guards to watch over you as you wander about?" asked Dumbledore, a touch concerned.
"That sounds fine sir. I don't begrudge help in keeping me safe but I do object to becoming a prisoner in the name of safety. I recall reading that whoever sacrifes their freedom for security deserves neither," stated Harry, noting that Hermione did seem pleased with him again.
"Very well Harry, I will make sure that the others understand that. I will still come by later in the summer to pick you up from them. Will that be alright?"
Harry's face softened a little at this, as did his voice. "It will be fine Professor."
Dumbledore brightened some and said, "Very well. Good day to you both."
Hermione bounced up and hugged him once the door was closed behind the Headmaster. While surprising, it was a nice sensation but he could tell that it wasn't nearly as tight as usual. Harry remembered why that was the case and frowned, his guilt bothering him. Hermione caught his look and asked, "What?"
"Nothing."
She just gave him a look that blatantly called him a liar and demanded that he answer her question.
Given that this was a look more often directed at Ron than himself, Harry was quite clear as to the fact that he would be in trouble if he didn't spill before things escalated. "You're… you're still injured."
Her eyes narrowed, "Yes… and I am getting better. Now stop with that. You aren't Dolohov and you didn't cast the curse. Now, I assume that we only have a little bit of time before you're heading back?"
"Yeah. I don't want to stay out too long, given the fact that it could put me at some risk in someplace as open as Diagon Alley. In places that aren't wizarding it might be less of an issue but here… not good. The odds of a Death Eater spotting me are higher than I would like. But enough about that… I wanted to let you know I picked up more books and am looking through them."
This caught her attention as he figured it might. "Oh? What about?"
"Well, uh… controlling my emotions." It was embarrassing to admit but he was able to, mostly.
She beamed at him. "That's a great idea Harry. I read that controlling your emotions can help with occlumency as well as the fact that it might help you in dealing with Malfoy and other prats like him."
That was useful but it was still a bit weak. Those certainly hadn't been ideas he had when he had been looking at the books earlier. As it was the topic left him feeling a bit exposed. He looked a bit abashed and said, "Look can we talk about this elsewhere?"
Hermione looked at Harry with a cocked head then nodded, clearly deciding something. "Sure. Have Tonks get you to my house later? I was going to hit Flourish and Blots before heading home so could you handle that? Would my house be safe enough to talk to me?"
Harry nodded. "I'm sure she can manage that."
"Great." Hermione turned to the goblin that was still in the room, looking even more pained that things still hadn't been finished up. "Excuse me sir, I have a quick question."
The goblin looked at her with some irritation at being held up but then sighed in acceptance. "Yes?"
"Do you have warding services available?"
Seeing that the topic was business the Goblin brightened up some as his frown grew less pronounced. "Yes we do."
"Excellent," proclaimed Hermione. "I would like to contract you to ward my house."
"Really Hermione?" asked Harry, somewhat surprised. "I didn't think they could do that since it's a home in a muggle neighborhood."
Hermione turned to the goblin, one eyebrow raised. "Will that be an issue?"
"Not at all miss. Warding properties within muggle neighborhoods is fairly commonplace and has been for a while now."
She grinned at Harry and said, "Well, get going. I will see you at the house soon."
Harry was fairly confused as he signed the necessary paperwork, collected a new key and a collection of documents before leaving the room. Tonks was waiting for him just down the hall. He came alongside her and as they left the bank Harry murmured, "She's crazy."
Tonks apparently overheard him. "What did Hermione do this time?"
Harry explained about Hermione wanting to ward her parent's house. Tonks nodded along and then said, "No, I understand what she is doing but she is skirting a pretty fine line. Trying to make sure her parents are safe is not a bad plan. From what I remember that is pretty much allowed since it is her direct blood relations."
"I get that, but her first thought when she had money was that? It was almost like she didn't even think about the library she had gotten."
"Maybe she didn't have the resources prior to this to take care of it. It's a very pragmatic response." Tonks shrugged, unconcerned.
Harry nodded. He understood pragmatism as that was very much how he fought, doing anything he could think of if he thought it was useful. Maybe there were things he was missing out on though, things that would be even more pragmatic and make combat a touch easier. Actually, anything at all that would make combat easier would be a godsend. "Tonks, speaking of pragmatism, are there any pragmatic sorts of things I could get to help with fighting?"
She nodded, easily seeing where he was going with this. "Oh certainly, there are a number of things. There are wand holsters that can keep your wand safe or have it leap to your hand." Pulling back a sleeve she showed him her wrist holster. "It can really speed up your response time. Didn't the Twins come up with things that might help? Anything to mess with the enemy or protect yourself is useful."
Harry thought about it, remembering a few things they talked about, and nodded. "I think I remember them mentioning something along those lines. And they were looking into other products at that time to help with shielding."
"From the scuttlebutt I heard at work, right now they are actually supplying things to auror forces but if you talk to them I am sure they would be happy to help you. I mean… they like you."
Harry grinned as he realized that he might be able to do something immediately to help assuage his feelings of guilt. "Let's drop by their store before we head back. I want to get several wand holsters from wherever they're sold and also pick up some of the shield hats. If it will help me and my friends to be safe and be able to react faster, then the cost is totally worth it."